Vaping Concerns Prompt Health Advisory Issued In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A health advisory has been issued for lung injuries related to vaping cannabis, cannabis oils or nicotine products in Santa Cruz County after the California Department of Public Health issued a statewide health alert.

There are currently no cases of vaping-associated lung illness reported in the county, but Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel has requested local clinicians to watch for symptoms, inquire about use of vaping products, and report any suspected cases.

Since June, 36 cases of vaping-associated lung illness requiring hospitalization were reported in California. In Kings County, located in California’s Central Valley region, seven patients experienced trouble breathing that worsened after an initial diagnosis of pneumonia or bronchitis. Those patients reported vaping cannabis or cannabis-based oils in the weeks prior to hospital admission and failed to respond to antibiotic treatment. Medical tests for infectious disease were negative, according to a statement from Santa Cruz County's Health Services Agency.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Drug Administration are investigating 215 potential cases of severe lung illness associated with e-cigarette product use reported by 25 states, including California, over the past three months. One death has been confirmed, the county reported.

Most patients nationwide report vaping the cannabis compounds THC and/or cannabidiol, and some also report vaping nicotine products. The exact cause of the illnesses is currently unknown.

The Health Advisory requests clinicians to report similar cases to the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Communicable Disease Unit and collect associated vaping products for testing.

“Although the Health Advisory is for clinicians, we want all residents and visitors in Santa Cruz County to be aware of these serious lung injuries,” Newel said. “As we learn more about the cause of these injuries, I urge individuals to limit their use of vaping products or quit using them altogether.”

Cases of lung injury related to vaping come in the context of rapid increases in vaping rates across Santa Cruz County. According to the most recent California Healthy Kids Survey, 31 percent of 11th graders in Santa Cruz County reported having used electronic cigarettes with 16 percent identifying as current users.

On January 1, 2020, a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, will go into effect in the City and County of Santa Cruz and the City of Capitola. The City of Watsonville is considering a similar ban.